Lindsay Arnold
PO Box 84 North Portal, SK S0C 1W0
(306)421-1991
[email protected]
www.lindsayarnold.ca
ARTIST STATEMENT
Rooted: The Daphne Dilemma
When I was in elementary school I borrowed a book about Greek mythology from the
library. I was fascinated by the stories; however there was one myth that bothered me. It was the
story of Daphne, the lovely virgin nymph pursued by Apollo. Apollo was under the influence of
Eros’ arrow and found Daphne irresistible. He chased Daphne relentlessly until she eventually
grew tired of running. Just as the young god was about to catch her, Daphne appealed to her
father, the river god, Peneus, to help her. Peneus saved Daphne by turning her into a laurel tree.
Her legs took root and her arms turned into slender branches. She spent the rest of her life as a
tree.
I have always thought Daphne’s rescue was worse than the thwarted capture. She would
never be able to run, hunt, or do any of the activities that made her happy. I never understood
why a father would choose such a restrictive outcome for his own daughter.
Over time I have realized we are all like Daphne in a way. We often become trapped, not
by the power of the gods, but by our own fears, insecurities, addictions, and obsessions. In vain
efforts to protect our egos, our actions become stifled and our perceptions warped. We prevent
ourselves from being truly satisfied, happy or free.
The series “Rooted” is a set of artist books, drawings and collages featuring women from
Victorian advertisements. The women have been taken out of their original context and placed in
strange, often, isolated environments fraught with trying dilemmas. Inspired by dysfunction and
fueled by humour I use allegory to explore our erred ways of interacting with others. Images and
text are combined to form fanciful portraits of social conduct misguided by fear, dependency,
insecurity, addiction, aggression, and more.
Lindsay Arnold
PO Box 84 North Portal, SK S0C 1W0
(306)421-1991
[email protected]
www.lindsayarnold.ca
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lindsay Arnold was born in Rugby, North Dakota, the geographical centre of North
America. Lindsay was 9 months old when she and her mother moved to North Portal,
Saskatchewan, a small village perched on the Canadian-American border. Her ancestry is a mix
of immigrant stock spanning both sides of the border. Lindsay comes from a long line of knitters,
quilters, crafters, and other creative folk.
Lindsay’s formal education is in broadcasting but she quickly discovered that it was not
the career for her. After living and working around western Canada and traveling through
Europe she decided to move back to North Portal. It was upon her return that she decided to
seriously pursue her creative interests. Her informal art training includes numerous artist
retreats, private lessons, workshops and mentorships. Lindsay has exhibited her work
throughout Saskatchewan in group and solo shows.
Lindsay still lives in North Portal, SK with her husband and daughter. When she is not
working in her home studio, she can be found moonlighting as the village administrator.